Eternal Crusade: A Grimdark Warhammer 40,000 Experience!
Stepping into the boots of a Space Marine, Eldar, or Ork, Eternal Crusade offers players a visceral and deeply immersive experience set within the sprawling universe of Warhammer 40,000. Developed by Behaviour Interactive and published in 2016, this ambitious MMO shooter promised to deliver epic, large-scale battles, strategic territorial control, and a rich, lore-heavy setting.
While Eternal Crusade ultimately faced an untimely demise due to various challenges, including development issues and dwindling player base, it left behind a compelling foundation and intriguing gameplay mechanics that deserve recognition.
A Universe Steeped in Darkness and Warfare
Warhammer 40,000 is renowned for its grim darkness, where humanity faces extinction against countless threats from the galaxy: insidious Chaos daemons, relentless alien hordes, and rival factions vying for dominance. Eternal Crusade throws players directly into this conflict, allowing them to choose their allegiance and fight for survival on a ravaged planet named Arkshine.
The narrative revolves around the ongoing war between these factions, each with distinct motivations and ideologies. Space Marines, paragons of unwavering loyalty, seek to cleanse the galaxy from heresy and maintain the Emperor’s dominion. The Eldar, an ancient race grappling with dwindling numbers, fight for their survival against the encroaching darkness. Orks, brutal green-skinned barbarians driven by a lust for violence, aim to conquer and plunder everything in sight.
Players embody these factions through various customizable classes, each with unique abilities and playstyles:
| Faction | Class Options |
|---|---|
| Space Marines | Tactical Marine, Assault Marine, Devastator, Librarian |
| Eldar | Howling Banshee, Dire Avenger, Farseer, Striking Scorpion |
| Orks | Nob, Stormboyz, Tankbustas, Mekboy |
The game encourages players to delve into the rich lore of Warhammer 40,000 by unlocking new weapons, armor sets, and abilities that reflect their chosen faction’s history and culture.
Gameplay: A Blend of MMO and Shooter Mechanics
Eternal Crusade aimed to bridge the gap between traditional MMOs and fast-paced shooters, offering a hybrid gameplay experience with both PvE and PvP elements.
Players could participate in large-scale battles involving hundreds of participants, vying for control over strategically important locations across Arkshine. These battles were characterized by intense firefights, coordinated assaults, and the tactical use of vehicles and heavy weaponry.
The game’s core mechanics revolved around:
- Objective-based gameplay: Capturing and holding key points, defending territories, and completing missions to earn experience and resources for your faction.
- Class specialization: Choosing a class that best suits your playstyle and mastering its unique abilities and weapon loadouts.
- Customization: Personalizing your character’s appearance with various armor sets, helmets, and emblems that reflect their allegiance and individual flair.
While the game initially faced criticism for its clunky interface and technical issues, it eventually saw significant improvements through patches and updates, refining the overall gameplay experience.
A World Torn by Conflict: Arkshine’s Battlefield
Arkshine served as the primary battleground in Eternal Crusade, a ravaged planet bearing the scars of countless wars. The environment showcased diverse biomes, from dense jungles and industrial wastelands to towering mountain ranges and sprawling ruins. These environments were not merely static backdrops but dynamically influenced battles.
Strategic chokepoints, hidden vantage points, and destructible elements added depth and complexity to tactical engagements, requiring players to adapt their strategies based on the terrain and objectives. The immersive atmosphere further enhanced the experience, drawing players into the brutal conflict that defined Warhammer 40,000.
A Legacy of Missed Potential
Eternal Crusade ultimately faced an untimely closure due to a combination of factors, including internal development struggles and a dwindling player base unable to sustain the MMO’s ambitious vision. However, despite its demise, the game left behind a lasting impression for those who experienced its unique blend of Warhammer 40,000 lore, strategic gameplay, and visceral combat.
While it may be gone, Eternal Crusade serves as a reminder of the potential that exists in merging traditional MMO mechanics with fast-paced shooter action within rich fictional universes.